Stonehenge researchers find largest neolithic site?

Just short of 100 monoliths have been discovered buried near Stonehenge. Archaeologists believe that the discovery could mark the largest Neolithic monument ever built in Britain.

The stones, – which are 4,500 years old – measured at 15ft, and were found buried under 3ft of earth. Discovered at Durrington Walls “superhenge”, the large stones were detected by a ground-penetrating radar.

Ground-penetrating radar

The monument was deemed to be on “an extraordinary scale” as well as incredibly unique by researchers.

The discovery comes after the Stonehenge Landscapes Team created an in depth underground map of the area in a five-year long project. The newly found monument was discovered just under 3km ( two miles) from Stonehenge, Wiltshire. Right now it is believed that the monument was part of a ritual site.

The stones are thought to have been deliberately toppled over the south-eastern edge of the bank of the (circular) enclosure, before eventually being incorporated into it.

Lead researcher Vince Gaffney (University of Bradford), said of the findings “We don’t think there’s anything quite like this anywhere else in the world.

“This is completely new and the scale is extraordinary.”

Archaeologist Nick Snashall said “The presence of what appear to be stones, surrounding the site of one of the largest neolithic settlements in Europe adds a whole new chapter to the Stonehenge story.”

The finding are to be announced on the first day of the British Science Festival, which is set to be held at the University of Bradford.